We recently connected with Gina Lee and have shared our conversation below.
Gina , appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Elevate You Studio came to me during one of the hardest times in my life. As a single mother with two daughters, I was struggling to keep it all together. Financial stress, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to provide weighed heavily on me. I was searching for something that would not only support my family but also give me a sense of purpose—a way to make a real difference in people’s lives.
One day, I stumbled across a video about paramedical tattooing, and it was like a light bulb went off. The idea of using tattooing to help people camouflage scars, restore confidence, and heal after trauma spoke to me on such a deep level. I immediately knew that this was something special. It wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about healing. I remember thinking, This is it. This is the answer I’ve been searching for.
But at the time, I didn’t have much. I had to save every penny to afford training, and even after that, there was no clear path forward. No one else around me was offering these kinds of services, and there were very few resources available. I knew I was solving a problem that most people didn’t even realize had a solution. I realized that people who had scars, stretch marks, or were recovering from surgeries often felt isolated and unseen. I wanted to provide a service that helped them feel whole again, not just physically but emotionally, too.
Starting Elevate You Studio was a leap of faith. I didn’t have all the answers, but I trusted my instincts. The logic was simple: there was a real need for paramedical tattooing, and I was willing to do whatever it took to meet that need. I was offering something that went beyond surface-level beauty. It was about empowerment and giving people a renewed sense of self. That’s what got me most excited—knowing I could help people in such a personal and transformative way.
It wasn’t easy. I hustled hard, offering my services wherever I could—going on Facebook groups, working on models, and refining my skills with every opportunity. But deep down, I knew this would work because it was filling a void that no one else was addressing. People wanted more than just a cosmetic solution—they wanted to feel seen, understood, and healed. Elevate You Studio became a space where people could reclaim their confidence, and that’s what has made this journey so worthwhile.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those who haven’t heard of me before, my name is Gina Lee, and I’m the founder and master trainer at Elevate You Studio, a paramedical tattoo studio that specializes in scar camouflage, 3D areola tattooing, and stretch mark treatments. I’ve been in this field for six years, and my journey into paramedical tattooing started during one of the lowest points of my life. As a single mother with two daughters, I was struggling to make ends meet, looking for a way to not only support my family but to do something meaningful.
One day, I stumbled upon a video about paramedical tattooing, and it sparked something deep inside me. The idea that I could help people regain their confidence by camouflaging scars, stretch marks, and other skin conditions was incredibly powerful. I immediately knew this was the path for me. I saved every penny I could to take the training, but even after that, there was no easy road. I spent countless hours practicing and hustling to find clients, often reaching out through Facebook groups, until I slowly started building a reputation.
At Elevate You Studio, we provide transformative services that are more than just skin-deep. We offer 3D areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors, scar camouflage treatments for those who have undergone surgery or suffered injuries, and stretch mark camouflage for people who want to feel more confident in their skin. What sets us apart is not only the technical skill and artistry but the deep emotional connection we form with our clients. Our services are about healing and empowerment, giving people back a sense of confidence they may have lost.
I’m most proud of the space we’ve created at Elevate You Studio. It’s not just a place where people come for a treatment—it’s a place where they can share their stories, find comfort, and feel supported in their journey. Whether it’s a breast cancer survivor looking to feel whole again after a mastectomy or someone dealing with the emotional weight of scars, we’re here to provide more than just a cosmetic solution. We offer healing.
Another thing that sets us apart is the education and training side of the business. I offer training programs for aspiring paramedical tattoo artists, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to help others enter this rewarding field. Watching my trainees succeed and make a difference in their own clients’ lives is something that fills me with immense pride.
If there’s one thing I want potential clients and followers to know about Elevate You Studio, it’s that we’re here for more than just aesthetic treatments. We’re about empowering people to feel confident in their own skin again, about providing a safe space where stories of resilience and healing are celebrated. My work is about helping people reclaim their bodies and their confidence, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that really illustrates my resilience involves navigating the ever-changing challenges of the digital world, particularly when it comes to showcasing my work. As a paramedical tattoo artist, my work is visual—people need to see the transformations to truly understand how life-changing scar and stretch mark camouflage, or 3D areola tattoos, can be. However, social media platforms, where I share most of my work, often flag my content as going against community guidelines. Posts that show before-and-after transformations, especially when related to sensitive areas like breast reconstruction, are frequently restricted or taken down.
It’s frustrating because these posts aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re about healing, empowerment, and giving people their confidence back. But to the digital platforms, they’re often seen as violations, and I’m constantly battling to keep my work visible. There are times when I’ve felt defeated, wondering how I’m supposed to spread the word about my services if the very platforms meant for exposure are working against me.
But giving up has never been an option. Instead of letting the restrictions stop me, I’ve found creative ways to work around them. I began using more subtle imagery, relying on storytelling to describe the emotional and transformative impact of my work. I leaned into word-of-mouth referrals, which became one of the most powerful tools for growing my client base. My previous clients started sharing their stories, recommending my services to others, and helping spread the word in ways that social media couldn’t. I also started focusing more on building relationships in real-life networks and finding platforms that were more supportive of my work.
This ongoing challenge has taught me to be adaptable and find ways to stay connected with the people who need my services. Even when one door closes, I’ve learned that there are always new paths to take. Every time my work gets flagged or restricted, I’m reminded of why I started this journey—to help people heal and regain their confidence. And that keeps me resilient, pushing forward even when the digital world makes it harder than it should be.
I’ve learned to trust the process and believe in the impact my work has on people’s lives, even if social media doesn’t always make it easy to show. In the end, the clients who walk out of my studio feeling transformed are all the validation I need to keep going, no matter what obstacles come my way.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
When it came to funding my business, there wasn’t a big loan or a windfall of money that magically appeared. It was built from the ground up, piece by piece, through hard work, side hustles, and sheer determination. When I first decided to pursue paramedical tattooing, I didn’t have much. After spending most of my savings on training, I knew I had to get creative to make the dream of owning my own studio a reality.
I took on odd jobs wherever I could find them. I walked dogs, babysat, and did anything that could bring in extra income. It wasn’t glamorous, but every dollar mattered. Each small gig allowed me to set aside a little more to invest in the tools, equipment, and supplies I needed to practice my craft.
At the same time, I started reaching out to people in Facebook groups, offering my services at discounted rates or even for free in some cases. These weren’t just any random groups; I specifically joined local mommy groups and women’s support communities where I knew there were people who could benefit from scar camouflage or stretch mark treatments. I introduced myself, explained my services, and offered to help anyone who was interested. This allowed me not only to earn a bit but, more importantly, to practice and refine my skills.
Each client I worked with—whether paid or pro bono—was an opportunity to build my portfolio, grow my confidence, and get the word out about what I was offering. Slowly but surely, the pieces started coming together. It wasn’t easy balancing side jobs, practicing tattooing, and raising two kids, but I was determined to make it work.
Eventually, through a mix of odd jobs, client referrals, and strategic networking, I was able to gather enough to officially open Elevate You Studio. Looking back, those early days of doing whatever it took to fund my dream were tough but necessary. They taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the value of hard work—qualities that still drive my business today. Starting with almost nothing, I built something I’m truly proud of, and every odd job and late-night Facebook message played a part in getting me here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevateyoustudio.com
- Instagram: elevateyoustudio_medicaltattoo
- Facebook: Elevate You Medical Tattoo
- Youtube: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elevate-you-studio-south-pasadena
